Will eating breakfast help me lose weight?

If your goal is to boost your metabolism and lose weight, studies show that whether you eat or skip breakfast has no bearing on the number of calories burned. Your best bet, says Senn, is to turn your energy toward building muscle mass since muscle burns more calories than fat.

henryford.com - Skipping Breakfast? The Truth About The ""Most Important Meal Of The Day""

Can you lose weight by eating superfoods?

Many superfoods can help support your weight loss efforts. These foods not only contain high amounts of important vitamins and minerals but also...

Last updated Mar 14, 2020

What foods nourish the adrenals?

Foods to eat protein sources, like lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and legumes. leafy greens and colorful vegetables. whole grains. relatively...

Last updated May 22, 2020

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Intermittent fasting is gaining ground in health and fitness circles, so you may be wondering if you can get by without breakfast. With intermittent fasting, breakfast is not only optional, it's discouraged. The most common method is a 16-hour overnight fast, followed by an 8-hour eating window. Yet, nutrition professionals have long suggested that breakfast is critical. "Breakfast sets the tone for the day," says Antigone Senn, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Henry Ford Health. "If you eat a balanced meal that includes protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fat, you'll start the day feeling energized." But could there be benefits to pushing your breakfast time until later in the day or even skipping it all together? It depends.

The Case For Breakfast

There are plenty of reasons why many health professionals say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast can help jump-start your metabolism. If you eat dinner between 6 and 8 p.m., then sleep through the night, that’s a lot of time without any sustenance. Some people even experience headaches, blood sugar dips, faintness and difficulty concentrating when they skip breakfast. Studies suggest that eating breakfast can also help keep blood sugar and blood pressure levels steady and improve cholesterol levels, provided you select healthy options (not pastries and donuts). In fact, popular breakfast foods often pack important nutrients like fiber, calcium, folate and vitamin C. To get the most nutrient bang for your breakfast buck and start your day on a high note, choose foods with a mix of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber. Carbs will give you energy right away, protein will sustain you through the morning and the fiber will help you feel full for at least a few hours (probably more).

Why People Skip Breakfast

Healthy or not, up to one-quarter of Americans regularly bypass breakfast because they believe intermittent fasting is good for their bodies, or simply because they're not hungry. "Contrary to popular belief, what matters for metabolism is the total amount of food consumed throughout the day, not the time when you consume those calories," Senn says. "The problem arises when breakfast skippers are so hungry that they overindulge when they're finally able to eat." If your goal is to boost your metabolism and lose weight, studies show that whether you eat or skip breakfast has no bearing on the number of calories burned. Your best bet, says Senn, is to turn your energy toward building muscle mass since muscle burns more calories than fat.

What drink gives you a flat stomach?

Green TeaOn the top of the list is green tea which is packed with antioxidants known as catechins that are believed to fight the stubborn belly...

Last updated May 1, 2022

What is the number one cause of adrenal insufficiency?

Primary adrenal insufficiency is most often caused when your immune system attacks your healthy adrenal glands by mistake. Other causes may...

Last updated Apr 27, 2019

7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

The Bottom Line On Breakfast

Unless you're on a strict dietary regimen because of a chronic condition like diabetes, the timing of your morning meal isn't critical. Instead, it's important to focus on mindfulness and paying attention to your body's cues. "If you're not hungry, there's no reason to shove down an unsatisfying breakfast," Senn says. "But in many cases, the people who say they're not hungry are actually getting their calories from supersized gourmet coffee drinks that pack a ton of fat and calories." In general, Senn recommends eating within an hour of waking up, but only if you feel hungry. Some people don't crave a morning meal, and that's okay.

If your body runs best with breakfast, solid starts include:

Oatmeal with nuts and bananas

Whole grain toast with nut butter and fruit

Nonfat Greek yogurt with nuts and berries

Eggs scrambled with veggies like bell peppers, spinach and onions

Whole-grain waffles with sliced strawberries, bananas and a dollop of low-fat or nonfat yogurt Feel like you're overeating and unable to tune in to your body's cues? Make an appointment with your primary care physician or a registered dietitian. Working with a professional can help you devise a program that emphasizes listening to your body's needs. To find a doctor or registered dietitian at Henry Ford, visit henryford.com or call 1-800-436-7936. Antigone Senn is a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in nutrition counseling and health coaching at Henry Ford Health’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

henryford.com - Skipping Breakfast? The Truth About The ""Most Important Meal Of The Day""

What causes B12 deficiency?

Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and...

Last updated Jan 18, 2019